Intensive Tango Dance Program for People With Self-Referred Affective Symptoms

Abstract

Recent research shows that tango dance may be an effective strategy for influencing symptoms that contribute to mood disorders. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a short-duration intensive tango program (ie, 2 weeks). Forty-one participants were randomized to tango dance (1½ hours, 4 times/week for 2 weeks) or to a wait-list control condition. Self-rated symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, self-efficacy, satisfaction with life and mindfulness were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 1 month later. Tango group participants showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia at posttest relative to the controls, whereas satisfaction with life and self-efficacy were significantly increased. At 1-month follow-up, depression, anxiety, and stress levels remained reduced relative to the wait-list controls. Thus, this brief but intensive program of tango dance was shown to be an effective strategy in alleviating mood disorders in people who self-report these symptoms.

Specific dance movement therapy interventions—Which are successful? An intervention and correlation study

“…Some of these studies contain methodological limitations as the groups were not randomized. However, many studies fulfill the high methodological standards of randomized control trials (Akandere & Demir, 2011;Aweto et al, 2012;Bojner Horwitz et al, 2003;Bräuninger, 2012aBräuninger, , 2012bHackney et al, 2007;Hokkanen et al, 2008;Jeong et al, 2005;Pinniger, Thorsteinsson, Brown, & McKinley, 2013;Röhricht & Priebe, 2006;Van de Winckel et al, 2003). The following section focuses on four DMT approaches and specific DMT interventions relevant to this study.…”

“…Focusing helps to contain the dyadic relationship experiences between the mover and the witness in Authentic Movement (Bacon, 2012). A focus can be selected prior to the session and can stress a specific dance technique (Earhart, 2009;Pinniger et al, 2013), DMT technique (Krampe et al, 2010;Payne, 2009), affect (Thom, 2010), the unconscious or behavior and relationship issues. However, focusing exclusively on one aspect of DMT may run the risk of not addressing the client's full needs (Kearney-Cooke, 1989).…”

“…A successful DMT focus could be to use a Dance Technique (Earhart, 2009;Pinniger et al, 2013), DMT Technique (Krampe et al, 2010;Payne, 2009) or Affect (Thom, 2010).…”

Dance therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease: improving quality of life

“…In an RCT of tango over 2 weeks (meeting 1.5 hours four times per week) with middle-aged adults with self-referred symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, significant improvements in anxiety, stress, and depression were noted at post-test, which were maintained at a 1-month follow-up. 69 Moreover, those in the tango group had significantly greater satisfaction with life at 2 weeks. Likewise, similar improvements in stress, anxiety, and depression were noted in the same population after 8 weeks of tango dance.…”

Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults

“…37 In a randomized controlled trial of Tango over 2 weeks (meeting 1.5 hr and 4 times per week) with middle-aged adults with self-referred symptoms of anxiety, and depression, significant improvements in their symptoms were noted at post-test, and maintained at a 1 month follow-up and similar improvements were noted in the same population after 8 weeks of tango dance. 38 Because social dance often involves meeting regularly to work in pairs or groups for honing skill and/or to enjoy the activity, dance may encourage teamwork that can allow the cultivation of friendships and larger community involvement. Further, therapies involving the arts and self-expression, both emotional and physical, may be especially helpful for managing motor and cognitive symptoms resulting from aging-related morbidities.…”